History

Established: 1855

In May 1805, a group of citizens met to study the Bible and worship according to the teachings of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. It is believed this small group eventually evolved into the Bellefontaine United Methodist Church.

James Russell Bissell donated six acres of land on the east side of Bellefontaine Road for a new church, which held its first service in 1855. A new building was erected in 1964, and the old building is still standing.

Bellefontaine Methodist Cemetery is located close to the church. The first grave was dated 1852 before James and Anna Bissell deeded the land to the church. There are ninety-six tombstones still legible on the property. Many of the graves were relocated to Bellefontaine Cemetery.